With only four games left in the regular season, the Drifters are giving their division rivals a run for their money in the Northern Neck. On April 17 the Drifters pounded Northumberland, 10-3, and two days later they crushed Lancaster, 13-3. However, the Drifters lost an important district game last week to the Essex Trojans, 10-0.

Prior to the Essex game the Drifters had hoped to extend their 2-1-district status, but fell to the wrath of a seasoned veteran squad.

Essex results Essex pitcher Reggie Johnson struck out eight, walked one, and allowed two hits before shutting out the visiting Drifters for six innings. Johnson was credited with making the defensive play of the game by beating Jason Vickery to the bag on a first inning ground ball that barely missed going into right

field for a two-run single.

Freshman, short stop Kamron Smith and Josh Thomas accounted for the Drifters’ offense. Smith singled in the first inning, while Thomas singled in the second inning.

Freshman pitcher, Nick Graves started on the mound for the Drifters. He lasted for four and a half innings, giving up six earned runs on three hits. He also struck out four, while walking five batters.

The loss dropped the Drifters to a district record of 2-2, and 10-4 overall. The will travel to Northumberland on Thursday, May 3. Game time is 5 p.m. Results of the Tuesday, May 1, Washington & Lee game were not available due to press deadlines.

What a difference a year makes. For the first time in two seasons, the Drifters ended their Northern Neck District drought by defeating Northumberland at home, and Lancaster during an away game.

“Our team has been building momentum to the point you could sense we were going to step up in this district,” Drifter varsity baseball head coach Steve Swope said. “Many of these guys have paid their dues the last couple of season, so needless to say, we all enjoyed our break-through wins.”

In addition, they also picked up non-district victories against the Maryland School for the Deaf (MSFD) during a doubleheader at Quantico. The MSFD games were make-up games stemming from the March 24 postponement.

CB 10 – Northumberland 3 The Drifters used a dazzling mound appearance from freshman pitcher, Nick Graves, along with a combined balanced offensive attack to beat the Indians, 10-3. The “Black & Gold” produced nine hits and played lockdown defense, while dominating the Indians starting pitcher.

The Drifters were hot at the plate, as six players contributed one hit or more. In a demonstration of base path speed, seven Drifters scored a run or more, while five players knocked in one or more RBIs.

For seven innings Nick Graves rained terror on the bats of the Indians. The powerful right–hander fanned eight batters, while giving up two earned runs and zero walks. The hard hitting freshman belted two singles, walked twice, and scored a run at the plate.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Drifters rocked Monroe Park with a six-run uprising. Hitters six through nine all came through with clutch two-out RBI hits. Josh Thomas drilled a two-run single, while teammates Travis Irvine and Gavin Lutz each banged out RBI singles. Sidney Horton capped the inning with a two-run single.

CB 13 – Lancaster 3 The Drifters traveled to the unfriendly confines of Lancaster to unleash one of their best offensive performances of the season. They pounded out 13 runs on 16 hits including a triple, and three doubles with all nine starters contributing a hit or more.

On the mound, Kamron Smith, through four quality innings, gave up three runs (one earned), allowed four hits, and struck out six to pick up the victory. At the plate, Smith helped his cause with a double, two singles, one RBI, and scored three times.

CB 14 – MSFS 3, CB 9 – MSFD 4 In game one the Drifters swept the doubleheader at Quantico with a powerful offensive assault, while delivering a solid pitching performance from Josh Thomas. Thomas pitched five innings in the first game, as he gave up two earned runs, on five hits, while striking out four batters.

Nick Graves brought the house down with his third homerun of the season. He also produced a two-run triple (three RBIs during the game), and scored two runs.

Kamron Smith crushed a triple, and a two-run single, while scoring three runs.

Other Drifter stats included: Sidney Horton, two singles, reach base on an error, and scored three runs; Dion Gonzalez doubled in a run, produced a RBI sacrifice fly, walked, and scored a run; Gavin Lutz singled, and walked, scored twice; Jason Vickery, Travis Irvine, and Mark Singleton each reached base, and scored; Dez’John Parker chipped in a triple.

In game two, the Drifters utilized six hits, and six walks to score nine runs, before putting the game on the win column. Gavin Lutz came off of relief for starter Davy Allison to pitch three innings to earn the mound victory. Lutz struck out four, and allowed on hit, before closing out the win.

At the plate, the Drifters were relentless as Nick Graves tripled, singled, and scored a run. Dion Gonzalez singled, walked, and drove in one runs, before scoring two more. Devante Harris delivered an RBI single, and scored two runs. Josh Thomas, Jason Vickery, and Sidney Horton each scored a run apiece.

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